Women of Troy Win Thanksgiving Classic Opener

Despite being in Texas during Thanksgiving, the USC women's basketball team continued to roll through its non-conference schedule with its fourth consecutive victory. The Women of Troy used a 20-7 run late in the first half and never looked back in an 88-67 victory over Sam Houston State in the SMU Thanksgiving Classic opener.

Freshman guard McKenzie Calvert scored a career-high 19 points to lead USC (4-1) while Courtney Jaco and Kiki Alofaituli added 14 points each. It was a season-high for Alofaituli.

Jaco had her best shooting performance of the season. She made all five of her field goals, including four 3-pointers. Jaco also distributed the ball, dishing out six assists and snatched four steals. Alexyz Vaioletama was one point away from a double-double, grabbing 11 rebounds. She also had five assists, four steals and a block.

Shernise Robertson led five Sam Houston State players in double figures with 17 points. But the Trojans forced 29 turnovers from Sam Houston State (0-3) and outrebounded the Bearkats 42-35. USC also shot 49 percent from the floor while SHSU shot 43 percent.

With the victory, USC will play at 5 p.m. PT tomorrow evening against the winner of the SMU/Florida A&M game.